Shadows of Deliverance

by Amy Hale

  She pushed her way through the acrid smoke and the first thing that caught her attention was debris and fire. Her mind screamed. Fire! Why is there fire?

  The rubble came into focus through her watering eyes and she recognized parts of the building. The building that everyone she loved had just entered. In a panic, she raced in that direction, calling out their names one by one. Deafening silence greeted her. No moans. No cries for help. Nothing. Just the sounds of fire as it burned what remined of the building.

  Jane continued to push through, not caring about her own injuries as she moved chunks of concrete and rebar. The first thing she really recognized was a shoe; one from the pair Caesar had been wearing when they arrived. She cried out in agony and continued to search while she screamed.

  She searched and searched, her heart breaking with each mangled and lifeless body she found. They were gone. All of them. Her best friend, her little boy, her … The love of her life. Her mind flashed familiar images of fire and a huge cemetery. The same cemetery she’d seen in her visions many times. It all came true. She’d known it was coming and no matter what she’d done, she couldn’t save them. Now she was alone.

  She collapsed on the ground wishing she’d entered the building with Colt. At least they would have died together. His face materialized in her mind and the agonizing pain made her feel as though she could vomit.

  Faint laughing could be heard in the distance and she raised her head to find the source. Gregory sat on a high branch of a tree, a detonator in hand. He continued to laugh as she glared at him. She reached out a hand and with a flick of her wrist, snapped his neck. He fell to the ground with a thud, hitting several limbs as he journeyed downward.

  Jane looked up at the sky and screamed as loud as she possibly could. The earth reacted to her pain. It cried for her as hard rain soaked the area. The lightning conveyed her anger as it lashed out at anything within striking distance. The wind twisted and turned in various directions, and earthquakes shook hard enough to topple even the most challenging structures.

  She cried and screamed as destruction prevailed around her. And when she had no more voice and no more tears, she collapsed.

  Jane’s eyelids felt like they weighed a ton. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t seem to force them open. Her heart sank as the realization of her situation hit her; she was still alive, and alone. Jane didn’t want to wake up ever again. No matter what she tried to make happen in her mind, her body’s self-preservation mode wouldn’t allow her to harm herself.

  Distant voices pulled her from hazy grief-stricken thoughts. One, in particular, made her anxious to open her eyes, but they still refused to cooperate. Her frustration caused tears to run down her cheeks but she didn’t even have the strength to wipe them away. The voices began to get louder and her need to see who spoke caused her heart to race.

  “Get the doctor! The heart monitor is going crazy!” a woman yelled.

  Another female voice could be heard yelling as she sprinted away; her words unintelligible to Jane’s ears.

  She felt a tissue blotting her cheeks, mopping the steady stream of tears now rolling down her face.

  A familiar male voice pulled at her senses and she calmed slightly, much to the first woman’s relief.

  “Talk to her. Let her know you are here,” said the familiar male voice. Lance? I haven’t seen him since Dr. Weston was killed by Gregory. How did he find me?

  Jane felt the presence of someone close to her. A kiss on her forehead and warm breath on her ear stirred her senses.

  “Jane, sweetie. It’s me. I’m here. You’re gonna be okay.”

  Jane heard her monitor resume its normal beat and she gave thanks for this person’s calming presence. She didn’t know how she’d get through the loss of so many people she loved, but maybe with people like this, she could find a way, in time.

  She heard the voice in her ear again, only this time it became clear and more recognizable.

  “You gotta wake up, baby. I’m tired of reading this book to myself. Dirty books are only fun if you have someone to reenact them with.”

  Her eyes flew open. Colt!

  She turned her head to look at him, her neck stiff and protesting.

  He smiled at her, tears forming on his lashes. “Thank you for coming back to me.” One hand rested on her pillow and his fingers stroked her hair.

  She started to speak but couldn’t find her voice. She wondered if she could drown in the joy she felt. Jane finally managed to make her mouth cooperate. “How?” she croaked out.

  He smirked at her. “How what?”

  “How are you here? I saw you. I saw all of you. You all died in the explosion.” Her voice cracked on the last sentence.

  Colt grasped her hand and kissed it. “Beautiful, I’m right here. No one died.” He cleared his throat and looked around the room. Leaning closer he said “Well, no one but Professor Russell. You took care of that.”

  She frowned. “What? I don’t understand.”

  Dr. Weston entered the room and his face lit up when he saw Jane. “Wonderful! I was hoping you’d wake up soon.” He pointed a finger at her. “You, young lady, gave us quite a scare. You’ve been in a coma for the better part of a month. Colt here was sure you would come back to us soon, but I’ll admit I wasn’t so convinced.” He moved closer and laid a hand on her arm. “Thanks for proving me wrong.”

  She smiled at him and took a calming breath. “I’ve been in a coma?”

  “Yes, when you went after that Russell fella, you overexerted yourself. You collapsed shortly thereafter.” Dr. Weston scribbled on her chart as he spoke.

  Colt threaded her fingers through his. “I need to tell you something about the kids.” He hesitated.

  Jane looked at him with wide eyes. “The group is gone. They relocated before the police found anything.”

  Colt nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”

  She glanced on the night stand. “The book you are reading to me, The Humping Games?”

  He nodded again, looking amused but slightly confused.

  She turned her eyes to Dr. Weston. “Doc, do you happen to have old files in your office containing information on research done by secret government facilities concerning paranormal anomalies?”

  He glanced at the nurses who pretended they weren’t listening. “Could you ladies excuse us?” They scurried out of the room and he shut the door. “How do you know that?”

  She chuckled and leaned her head back into her pillow. Relief washed over her in realization of the truth that slowly dawned on her. “Does this include a map to abandoned facilities in Tennessee?”

  Dr. Weston ran a hand over his scalp. “Uh, well … yes. I think there is something like that in there. I haven’t explored it very closely yet.”

  She shook her head and smiled. “I can’t believe it.”

  Colt pushed a strand of hair from her face. “Can’t believe what?”

  “It was a vision. The whole damn thing was a vision.” She couldn’t contain the smile on her face.

  Dr. Weston looked from her to Colt. “The what-what?”

  She laughed. “As soon as I am free to leave, we have a lot of work to do. While I was out I had a detailed vision of the future. I know where The Curators went. I know who we need to contact to help us, as well as who we shouldn’t trust. I know what we need to do to stay safe, and just how to beat them.”

  Dr. Weston looked at Colt with a baffled expression. “Do you know what she’s talking about?”

  “Not yet,” said Colt. “But she’ll explain it. I have total faith in her. If she says she’s seen the future, then I believe it.”

  She gazed at Dr. Weston, so very happy to see him alive. Then she looked at Colt and pulled him close for a kiss.

  Jane and Colt sat on the porch swing of their beautiful little Indiana home and watched Caesar play in the front yard. Her dad had not only provided a house and land for her future, but he had an entire trust fund created in her name. She w
asn’t likely to hurt for money any time soon.

  She heard a timer go off in the kitchen and stood to check on the contents of the oven.

  Karen shouted through the screen door. “I got the cookies, sweetheart. You just enjoy the sunshine.”

  Jane smiled and sat back down. Karen loved cooking for them all, especially Caesar. He was a cookie-loving tornado. Dr. Weston often remarked that Caesar could destroy a batch of cookies quicker than an F5 in a trailer park.

  She couldn’t believe how incredible her life had turned out. Not only had her visions led them straight to the new compound, but they were able to capture the leaders and free the children without a single person getting hurt. Jeremy and Gregory had to be lured from their hiding spots, but once out in the open, the I.I.P.R. took over and moved them to a secure location. Julia’s memory was wiped and she was sent home to the family that missed her. Dr. Weston happily joined Dr. Sands in his paranormal research and they were making new discoveries every day. Best of all, Jane and Colt married in a small ceremony surrounded by family and friends. Considering how her childhood had played out, she felt very blessed indeed.

  Colt’s cell phone rang and broke her from her reverie. He hit the speaker button. “Hey, Doc, what’s shakin’?”

  Dr. Weston’s jovial voice pushed through the speakers. “I’ve been doing some research with Dr. Sands and we found some very interesting information about Jane!”

  “Me?” asked Jane. She couldn’t imagine what they would have found concerning her in all those old files they’d been going through for the last several months.

  “Yes, we now understand why you were so important to The Curators. Do you know that someone with your specific set of abilities is called an omnipotent?” he asked excitedly.

  “No, I’ve never heard of that.” She gave Colt a confused look and he chuckled, playing with a strand of her long hair as he watched her talk.

  “It’s Latin for all-powerful.” Doctor Weston said. “Someone with the DNA to be an omnipotent is born only once in a few centuries. You, my dear, are a rarity.”

  Her eyebrows rose as she considered his words.

  “So,” Dr. Weston continued, “this is why you can do so many incredible, and, frankly, terrifying things. Even your vision while comatose was unusual. You had the ability to see from every point of view as your mind worked through the events to come.”

  Dr. Sands interrupted. “It’s mind-blowing, young lady! I’d greatly love to see the things you can do with the entire planet, but I think that’s an experiment best left untouched.”

  “Oh, goodness yes,” agreed Dr. Weston. “If she were to somehow throw the Earth of its axis or mess with the rotation, the entire planet could go hurtling into space!”

  Jane rolled her eyes and Colt leaned his face into her neck, laughing silently. There was never a dull moment when Dr. Weston and Dr. Sands got together.

  Karen walked out of the door and heard Dr. Weston’s voice. She blushed slightly. “Is that Doc?”

  “Yes! Hello, Karen. So lovely to hear your voice,” Dr. Weston exclaimed.

  Colt glanced up at his mother and smirked. “Doc, you’ll be visiting us this weekend, right?”

  “Ah, yes, I believe that is correct, if you’ll still have me.” His calm and congenial voice made them all smile.

  “That’s great. Mom will still be visiting too, so you guys can catch up while you’re here.” Colt’s mischievous grin spread across his face.

  Karen blushed even more and Dr. Weston stammered. “Ah, oh, uh, yes, that would be just wonderful. I look forward to it.”

  Dr. Sands interrupted. “We are in the middle of some amazing breakthroughs so I must steal Dr. Weston away. We shall talk again soon!” Then the phone went dead.

  Karen looked at Colt and frowned. “Why on God’s green Earth do you enjoy making me blush?”

  He laughed. “Because Brett’s not here to do it. It’s a family thing. Someone has to be sure havoc is sufficiently caused.”

  Jane laughed and Karen shooed him from her sight as she entered the house once more. Before closing the door behind her, she called out to Caesar, “Cookies are done, sweetheart. Come get them while they are hot!”

  “Okay, Grandma, I’ll be right there.” Caesar gathered up his die-cast cars, using his shirt as a hammock to carry them back to the house.

  Jane jumped in her seat. “Oh, that was a strong one.”

  Colt reached down and rubbed her round belly. “I told you, he’s gonna be a kickboxer.”

  She laughed. “You may be right. I’ll count myself lucky if I have any internal organs left by the time this baby is born.”

  “Speaking of babies, did you talk to Rachel yesterday?” Colt asked.

  “What?” squealed Jane. “Is she pregnant?”

  Colt laughed. “Not that I know of, but Brett proposed and Rachel said yes. I’m sure babies won’t be far behind.”

  She laughed and rested her head against his shoulder. “I don’t doubt it.”

  Colt took her hand in his and he studied the gold band with inlaid diamonds that now took residence on her left ring finger. “He is a Henderson. We are a pretty virile bunch, so I imagine they’ll have an announcement for us sooner than later.”

  Jane blushed and squeezed his hand. “You are not exaggerating there.”

  Jane and Colt walked hand in hand as they admired the view of the Indianapolis Canal. Jane’s latest checkup had gone beautifully and her OB/GYN couldn’t have been more pleased with her progress. Jane did have concerns about the gifts this child might possibly be born with. If Jane were lucky, she hoped her baby would be like his or her father and possess no paranormal abilities whatsoever. There is nothing wrong with normal. In fact, it was preferable in her eyes.

  As she enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and the company of the most wonderful man she’d ever met, she thanked her lucky stars for the many blessings in her life.

  She looked up from her meditation in time to notice a lovely young woman with dark brown hair and an olive complexion. Their eyes met and a spark of recognition flashed between them; a little something that only they saw. That hint of chemistry lying deep beneath the surface that only the gifted can spot and understand. Complete strangers who shared a secret. They smiled at each other and continued on their separate ways. The young woman with her briefcase, and Jane lovingly grasping her husband’s hand. She smiled to herself. Normal or gifted, this baby will be amazing. Either way, watch out, world. Great things are headed your way.

  Other Books By Amy Hale

  Shadows of Jane, The Shadows Trilogy, Book One

  Shadows of Deception, The Shadows Trilogy, Book Two

  Ulterior Motives

  Catching Whitney

  Letters From Jayson

  It’s hard to believe this story is over. I’ve enjoyed spending time with Jane and Colt and I hope you have as well.

  This book turned out to be one of my toughest projects yet. I fought a lot of mental blocks due to situations beyond my control. My husband kept me anchored every time I felt like I was drifting away from the shore. Without him, this series may never have been completed. Thank you, John. You are my everything and I love you to the moon and back.

  Many thanks to my beta readers for keeping me on point. You ladies did an amazing job pointing out holes, inconsistencies, and nonsense.

  A thank you to Sarah Hanson for the gorgeous covers on this entire series. I still look at these works of art you’ve created with awe.

  Thank you once again Stacey for your talents. The interior design of my books are always spot on because of you!

  Wendi, I can never thank you enough for the way you shine up my sometimes chaotic words. I am blessed to have you as an editor and friend.

  Many thanks to Kristie Cook for guiding me as I learn to improve my craft. You are blessing in my life for so many reasons!

  Another shout of thanks to Jane Curry for helping me with the proofreading. You’re the best!

 
; I have to give a shout out to Terrie Wilson. She’s amazing and I don’t know what I’d do without her.

  Last, but not least, thank you reader. This trilogy was a labor of love. I learned a lot along the way and I hope it brought you hours of entertainment and joy. I’m looking forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

  Amy Hale is an author, mother, and wife living in Southern Illinois. She started her writing career in 2003 with non-fiction and educational pieces but decided to take the leap to fiction in 2014. She’s the author of the paranormal series The Shadows Trilogy, as well as other adventurous novels full of romance, suspense, and humor.

  Her husband and kids are the center of her universe, although her cat believes otherwise. She also loves reading, music, and photography. When she’s not writing, or reading, Amy can be found watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 movies with her kids, or enjoying the scenery fly by from the back of her husband’s motorcycle. Learn more at www.authoramyhale.com

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